Mthatha floods victims will be resettled on new land, says Cogta

SUITABLE land will be identified and allocated to the victims of the devastating Eastern Cape floods to enable long-term, dignified housing solutions. 

This, according to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in the Eastern Cape, was the assurance Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane made to the victims during her oversight visit to two severely impacted informal settlements, Skiet and Eugene, to engage with residents and evaluate urgent housing and support needs. 

Some of the residents had settled close to the Mthatha Dam, which is suspected to have been flooded during the recent heavy rains. The floods claimed the lives of nearly 100 people and displaced more than 2000. 

"As a key role player in disaster coordination, CoGTA continues to collaborate with all spheres of government to ensure that emergency relief reaches  affected families," Cogta said.

The government has come under sharp criticism from residents for how it responded to the disaster, with reports that people were trapped in flooded houses for hours with no emergency crews in sight. 

 The South African Defence Force (SANDF) have also been lamented for delays in deploying resources like its Oryx helicopter to assist with flood relief. IOL reported that the alleged absence of Flight Engineers (FEs) had significantly hampered the SANDF’s ability to operate vital aircraft during recent floods in Mthatha, as heavy rains and snow battered the Eastern Cape.

The SANDF did not respond to questions around the issue on Wednesday. 

While not commenting on behalf of the government, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who is also Defence deputy minister  said when president Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area, he had called for the tragedy to be declared a national state of disaster noting the “scale of the destruction in Mthatha and surrounding areas is immense. Roads, bridges, schools, and critical infrastructure have been washed away. Entire communities are cut off from emergency services, and the humanitarian need is growing by the hour”. 

Holomisa said he was concerned as after Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, visited the area he had not seen the necessity in making the declaration.

“I don't want to point fingers but almost 90 people have died, it’s totally out of control”. 

Disaster management expert, Dingaan Mahlangu from Ncuma risk management said the recent events highlighted the urgent need for “improved disaster preparedness and rapid response mechanisms in South Africa”, especially in light of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. 

“We must move from reactive to proactive disaster management if we are to save lives and build resilience in vulnerable regions.  Flood disasters are (becoming) increasingly common in our changing climate. With proper planning, community engagement, and inter-agency collaboration, their impact can be significantly reduced,” he said.

Cape Times